Phillies Release INF Ronny Cedeno

The Phillies have announced the release of veteran backup infielder Ronny Cedeno, according to multiple reports on Twitter. He was hitting .182/.250/.273 in 13 games this Spring as a non-roster invitee.

After Kevin Frandsen was optioned to Lehigh Valley (AAA) on Sunday, the backup shortstop spot on the bench is down to just two in-house candidates: Cesar Hernandez (.281/.314/.313) and Reid Brignac (.353/.476/.529). Freddy Galvis remains sidelined indefinitely with a MRSA infection.

As we inch a step closer to the Phils injecting some youth into the roster with Cedeno’s exit. Personally, I don’t know about Brignac and Hernandez being mentioned in the same breath as the 2 in house candidates left, but I don’t make those calls.

Meanwhile, a pretty gutsy decision by Kevin Frandsen to elect free agency, and forgo the guaranteed 900k by the Phils. I’d guess that path looks rosy in no less than Texas Ranger terms with the collective decimation of their roster without even considering other clubs. I suspect it’s a calculated risk based on studying the market, and he hooks up quickly, but if it is Texas, perish the thought of his ripping a game winner early next week.

Hernandez doesn’t appear to have the range or arm strength to make people come close to forgetting some of the great defensive play demonstrated by shortstops, a position that’s likely provided as many defensive highlights as any since the inception of the video era.

And while those shortcomings do present a negative for a club that can’t add to them, it is at least hoped that a backup shortstop concern is a short term problem. You play Hernandez there maybe 4 times while Galvis recoups, and at least in comparison to Brignac, take advantage of his overall diversity. That diversity is mostly on offense, and the defense is a concern, but again, it’s looking at it short term while Galvis is out.

What is everyone’s deal with Abreu? During the off-season all anyone on here would talk about is our lack of obp….he’s the walking talking ad for obp. I say keep he and Gwynn. Mayberry’s the man to release. I like him, but he’s not worth a roster spot at this point.

By all accounts, Abreu can’t play in the field anymore. Being a National League team, it’s a waste of a roster spot for a one dimensional player (like bringing Thome back in 2012). Other than a handful of games in AL parks, what’s the point of having him around? He really hasn’t even had a good spring.

Ah, so I guess Abreu is better than Revere! Thanks for clearing that up Schmenkman! You know as well as anybody that if someone like Abreu gets significant playing time in 2014, then this team is in deep trouble.